Maurice Schippers

SCHIPPERS, Maurice "Skip"
Age 96, of Kalamazoo Maurice Schippers, son of James and Ruth Bloehm Schippers went home to meet his Lord and Savior on February 13, 2009. He was born August 24, 1912, in Kalamazoo and had been a resident here all his life. In 1930, he graduated from Kalamazoo Central where he played in both orchestra and band. He was extremely proud of the fact that he had the privilege of playing under the direction of John Phillips Sousa. Two years later he graduated from Parsons Business School. Maurice was Director of Finance for the City of Kalamazoo for 36 years and could have written a book on his many pleasant experiences. He had great fiscal integrity and expected the same of others. Maurice was a long time member of the Bethel Baptist Church where he had taught Sunday School in the high school department, served on the auditing committee, and sang in the choir and male quartet. He had also served on the Board of the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission. Maurice married Ida Pinkster on September 12, 1935 and she preceded him in death on April 14, 2005. Surviving are two daughters, Mary Louise Paul Frederick and Marjorie Sue Gordon Smith; five grandchildren, Blake, Brent Kelly and Bruce Frederick, Courtney Tres Kelly and Stacey Smith; nine great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Corabelle Pinkster and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick Street, where Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Monday with Pastor Dana Arledge officiating. A private family interment will be held in Riverside Cemetery. Memorials in Maurice's memory may be directed to Bethel Baptist Church; Kalamazoo Gospel Mission; or Kalamazoo Christian School Association. www.langelands.com